From the Manila Times (Jan 17): AFP claims to have upper hand vs. rebels
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday presented a glowing assessment of their anti-insurgency efforts in 2013 following a command conference by chief of staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista and senior military leaders in Camp Aguinaldo.
It claimed that government forces, through the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP)-Bayanihan, had made the communist New People’s Army (NPA) fail miserably in their efforts to regain their foothold during the 1980s wherein they had an estimated 25,000 fully armed red fighters.
“The NPA miserable failed in achieving its goals bound on its five-year central plan which ended in 2013. They were unsuccessful in expanding their mass because support as 16 more provinces were normalized last year,” it added.
Overall, the AFP said, it was able to neutralize the rebels in 43 out of the 64 NPA-infested provinces nationwide that also led to the capture of 824 NPA personalities and the surrender of 425 firearms.
It added that they were able to neutralize 502 rogue Moro National Liberation Front elements (RMEs) of which 208 were killed, 270 captured and 24 surrenderees, with 324 firearms being recovered.
On the government side, the AFP suffered 197 casualties during the three-week siege of Zamboanga by the RMEs; 20 were killed in action and 177 were wounded while 195 hostages were safely rescued.
The AFP reported that it was also able to effectively limit the Bansamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters’ capability to sabotage or derail the ongoing peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Last year, the AFP further said, the government also gained from the closure agreement with the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA), adding that it led to the integration of 168 CPLA members in the military service.
In the process also led to the turnover of 403 firearms. The CPLA, which used to operate in the Cordilleras, was founded by the late rebel priest Fr. Conrado Balweg.
http://manilatimes.net/afp-claims-to-have-upper-hand-vs-rebels/68597/
Friday, January 17, 2014
Draft Bangsamoro basic law to be completed in April
From the Manila Times (Jan 17): Draft Bangsamoro basic law to be completed in April
The Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) said it is working double-time to complete a draft Basic Law for the new juridical entity within three months.
“The crafting of the Bang–samoro Basic Law (BBL) will be completed and it will be submitted to President Benigno Aquino 3rd hopefully this coming April, and we hope also that he would certify it as an urgent bill if it reached the Congress,” BTC chair Mohagher Iqbal, who also chairs of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace talks with the government, said.
Iqbal appealed to the public, most specially to those who are in the government to “unite and cooperate” in realizing what they are pursuing now, saying that “after 40 years in struggle, we are now looking up to our future, that would benefit the next generations of the Bangsamoro.”
“This is not for [the MILF], we are now in the twilight of our life, we want to dedicate our last part for our life to our people,” he said.
“Even if we did not get full independence, at least we will be having two important things, which are the powers and resources vested in our homeland,” Iqbal added.
Maguindanao officials led by Gov. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu and their constituents welcomed the BTC’s visit to Buluan town and expressed their “full support” for the aspirations of the Bangsamoro entity.
In his speech, Mangudadatu said “even during the campaigning of FAB, Maguindanao has been very supportive, and we have shown it and let our constituents feel it.”
The governor highlighted eight-point agenda of the province, including its ongoing projects and programs on education, health services, infrastructure, agriculture, trade and industry, peace-building and good governance that were anchored to the FAB.
“Our province is also helping realizing the intents of the FAB including settling of feuds that would help normalize the province,” he said, referring to the work of the Maguindanao Task Force on Reconciliation and Unification (MTFRU).
It was learned that the MTFRU has now settled 22 rido or clan feuds, including that between the families of Sheikh Kaliffa Nando and SPO3 Meng Kadalim in Datu Paglas that ended on Wednesday.
Maguindanao Rep. Sajid Ma–ngudadatu, after receiving clarifications from the delegation, vowed to campaign in the Lower House for the smooth passage of the BBL.
The BBL draft would incorporate the FAB and its four annexes on transition, wealth-sharing, power-sharing and normalization. The first three annexes have been signed while the fourth is being discussed for signing in two-month time or so, sources said.
The BTC delegation was also warmly received by majority Christian leaders in North Cotabato including Gov. Lala Taliño-Mendoza, Vice Gov. Gregorio Ipong and Rep. Jose Tejada.
In North Cotabato province, at least 39 villages comprising mostly Muslim residents have been eyed for inclusion in the areas of the proposed juridical entity that would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). ARMM comprises Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan.
http://manilatimes.net/draft-bangsamoro-basic-law-to-be-completed-in-april/68604/
The Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) said it is working double-time to complete a draft Basic Law for the new juridical entity within three months.
“The crafting of the Bang–samoro Basic Law (BBL) will be completed and it will be submitted to President Benigno Aquino 3rd hopefully this coming April, and we hope also that he would certify it as an urgent bill if it reached the Congress,” BTC chair Mohagher Iqbal, who also chairs of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace talks with the government, said.
Iqbal appealed to the public, most specially to those who are in the government to “unite and cooperate” in realizing what they are pursuing now, saying that “after 40 years in struggle, we are now looking up to our future, that would benefit the next generations of the Bangsamoro.”
“This is not for [the MILF], we are now in the twilight of our life, we want to dedicate our last part for our life to our people,” he said.
“Even if we did not get full independence, at least we will be having two important things, which are the powers and resources vested in our homeland,” Iqbal added.
Maguindanao officials led by Gov. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu and their constituents welcomed the BTC’s visit to Buluan town and expressed their “full support” for the aspirations of the Bangsamoro entity.
In his speech, Mangudadatu said “even during the campaigning of FAB, Maguindanao has been very supportive, and we have shown it and let our constituents feel it.”
The governor highlighted eight-point agenda of the province, including its ongoing projects and programs on education, health services, infrastructure, agriculture, trade and industry, peace-building and good governance that were anchored to the FAB.
“Our province is also helping realizing the intents of the FAB including settling of feuds that would help normalize the province,” he said, referring to the work of the Maguindanao Task Force on Reconciliation and Unification (MTFRU).
It was learned that the MTFRU has now settled 22 rido or clan feuds, including that between the families of Sheikh Kaliffa Nando and SPO3 Meng Kadalim in Datu Paglas that ended on Wednesday.
Maguindanao Rep. Sajid Ma–ngudadatu, after receiving clarifications from the delegation, vowed to campaign in the Lower House for the smooth passage of the BBL.
The BBL draft would incorporate the FAB and its four annexes on transition, wealth-sharing, power-sharing and normalization. The first three annexes have been signed while the fourth is being discussed for signing in two-month time or so, sources said.
The BTC delegation was also warmly received by majority Christian leaders in North Cotabato including Gov. Lala Taliño-Mendoza, Vice Gov. Gregorio Ipong and Rep. Jose Tejada.
In North Cotabato province, at least 39 villages comprising mostly Muslim residents have been eyed for inclusion in the areas of the proposed juridical entity that would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). ARMM comprises Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan.
http://manilatimes.net/draft-bangsamoro-basic-law-to-be-completed-in-april/68604/
Farmer shot dead by rebels in Isabela
From the Visayan Daily Star (Jan 18): Farmer shot dead by rebels in Isabela
Four armed men suspected to be members of the New People’s Army shot and killed a farmer in Sitio Aguntilang, Brgy. Riverside, Isabela, Negros Occidental, Thursday.
The victim was identified by the Isabela police as Rolan Dadlis, 28, of Sitio Aguntilang.
Initial police investigations showed that Dadlis succumbed to two fatal gunshot wounds in the back of his head, after he was shot by one of the four suspects with high-powered firearms.
Four empty shells of an M-16 rifle were recovered at the scene of incident.
1Lt. Von Ryan Gomez, 11th Infantry Battalion Civil Military Operations Officer, said yesterday that Dadlis, a member the National Commission on Indigenous People in Isabela, was mistaken by the NPA to be a military target in the barangay.
Gomez said the four suspects are reportedly under the command of Magno Flores, who is facing a string of murder cases in central Negros.
The summary execution of Dadlis came almost a week after CAFGU member Ricky Camacho was also gunned down by suspected NPA assassins in Brgy. Magballo, Kabankalan City, military said.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/January/18/topstory8.htm
Four armed men suspected to be members of the New People’s Army shot and killed a farmer in Sitio Aguntilang, Brgy. Riverside, Isabela, Negros Occidental, Thursday.
The victim was identified by the Isabela police as Rolan Dadlis, 28, of Sitio Aguntilang.
Initial police investigations showed that Dadlis succumbed to two fatal gunshot wounds in the back of his head, after he was shot by one of the four suspects with high-powered firearms.
Four empty shells of an M-16 rifle were recovered at the scene of incident.
1Lt. Von Ryan Gomez, 11th Infantry Battalion Civil Military Operations Officer, said yesterday that Dadlis, a member the National Commission on Indigenous People in Isabela, was mistaken by the NPA to be a military target in the barangay.
Gomez said the four suspects are reportedly under the command of Magno Flores, who is facing a string of murder cases in central Negros.
The summary execution of Dadlis came almost a week after CAFGU member Ricky Camacho was also gunned down by suspected NPA assassins in Brgy. Magballo, Kabankalan City, military said.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/January/18/topstory8.htm
Arkibong Bayan: KARAPATAN Urgent Appeal -- Release NDFP Consultant Eduardo Sarmiento and other Political Prisoners Now!
Posted to Arkibong Bayan (People's Archive) (Jan 15): KARAPATAN Urgent Appeal: Release NDFP Consultant Eduardo Sarmiento and other Political Prisoners Now!
KARAPATAN URGENT APPEAL:
RELEASE EDUARDO SARMIENTO NOW!
13 January 2014
Dear friends and colleagues,
Greetings of peace!
On 11 December 2013, Eduardo Sarmiento, a consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in the peace process with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH), was sentenced to 20 to 40 years imprisonment by Judge Myra Bayot Quiambao of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 203, on the basis of trumped up criminal charge of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. Lawyers of Sarmiento are challenging the conviction, through a motion for reconsideration filed before the local court, and have also sought, for the second time, for the judge to inhibit herself from the case. These pleas are expected to be heard on Friday, 17 January 2014.
His arrest and detention is based on allegations of fabricated charges of arson, multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder filed against him in the courts ofSamar and of illegal possession of
firearms and explosives in Muntinlupa. All the charges in Samar
have been dismissed due to lack of evidence.
Sarmiento was serving as the NDF consultant representing the Eastern Visayas Region in the peace negotiations with the GPH since 1986. Prior to the imposition of Martial Law, he was an active member of the KM (Kabataang Makabayan or Patriotic Youth) while studying at theUniversity
of Eastern Philippines in Northern Samar . He was imprisoned twice by the Martial
Law regime because of his political beliefs. In his third year in college as an
AB Political Science major, he decided to work full-time with the national
democratic movement. Despite the perils of state repression that continued
under the Corazon Aquino administration, when killings of activists and
revolutionary leaders commenced, he represented the NDFP in various public fora
and negotiations in Eastern Visayas as
spokesperson and representative of the NDFP in the local peacetalks with the
GPH. Sarmiento hails from Catarman, Northern Samar, a province located in the
poorest region in the Philippines
In February 2009, Sarmiento went to Metro Manila to participate in peace negotiations, when he was arrested by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP). Sarmiento was blindfolded, forced to go inside a van, and was taken to an undisclosed location for interrogation and torture for 24 hours before being taken to the Southern Police District Jail. It was only then when he knew of the charges against him. The arresting police officers claimed to have found a grenade in his bag, a claim being disputed by Sarmiento and his lawyer. The grenade, they allege, was planted evidence, as the police did not follow required chain of custody of evidence procedure and did not document the grenade in the presence of Sarmiento or his counsel. Police testimonies during the court hearings indicate several irregularities regarding documentation of the supposed evidence. Sarmiento said that he was not carrying a grenade and that the first time that he saw the grenade was during his court trial.
Lawyers of Sarmiento are set to argue for the motion for reconsideration on his conviction on the basis that the court committed serious errors in its December 2013 judgement particularly on insufficient proof of his guilt beyond reasonable doubt, and several gross irregularities in the chain of custody of the evidence presented and the highly questionable performance of duties of the arresting officers.
Sarmiento’s lawyers are also asking for the judge to voluntarily withdraw from the case. In 2009, the judge was a Senior State Solicitor at the Office of the Solicitor General and she was part of “Task Force Rebellion,”a team of the GPH to review the cases of NDF consultants in the peace process. Given her previous involvement on the part of the GPH, there are serious questions regarding her objectivity and impartiality to the case. Sarmiento’s lawyers are asking that the judge voluntarily withdraw from the case so that another judge can review the judgement.
Sarmiento is on his fifth year of detention in Camp Crame, where he continues to conduct education work among fellow prisoners on their rights to fair and humane treatment inside jail as well on the various issues being confronted by the Filipino people, including the latest developments on the issue of pork barrel and corrupt practices of government officials, as well as the incompetence of the Aquino administration on the relief and rehabilitation for typhoon victims in the region where he hailed from.
Sarmiento is also a cultural worker, who uses various art forms to express the views of the people’s movement on various issues. Since his elementary days, it has been his passion to draw, but it was only in prison where he first attempted to write poems and paint. Except for his regular contribution of poems drawings to LARAB (Flame), the underground revolutionary news magazine inEastern Visayas , he has not pursued painting
or other art work outside of prison, due to other work priorities in the
movement. Before his current detention, his last painting was in 1975—in a
Lapu-lapu, Cebu prison camp. Since his arrest
in 2007, he has written poems, children’s stories, and song lyrics. He has also
made several paintings, the latest batch of his paintings were exhibited
together with fellow political prisoner Alan Jazmines’ work.
Karapatan views the case of Eduardo Sarmiento as a case that illustrates the injustices being suffered by all political prisoners in the country -- rights violations which are being perpetuated by the Benigno S. Aquino administration through the counter-insurgency program Oplan Bayanihan (Operational Plan Shoulder-to-Shoulder). At present, 449 political prisoners – 154 of them illegally arrested and detained under the current administration – remain imprisoned.
Aside from the injustices he suffered during his illegal arrest and detention, Sarmiento, as an NDF consultant in the peace negotiations, is covered by the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) signed on 24 February 1995 by the GPH and the NDFP. The JASIG provides that consultants and negotiators in the peace process are guaranteed free passage in the country and should have immunity from surveillance, harassment, search, arrest, detention, prosecution and interrogation due to their involvement or participation in the peace negotiations. Sarmiento was listed as a peace consultant in the 2001 JASIG list and should not have been arrested nor convicted under this agreement.
Sarmiento’s case is another clear indication that the Aquino administration is blocking all roads towards peace and is in fact exacerbating poverty, repression, plunder of the country’s resources and violations on our sovereignty, miserably failing to fully resolve the root causes of the armed conflict. It has failed to demonstrate good faith and sincerity in respecting and implementing agreements and commitments to the NDFP-GPH peace negotiations, including its commitment to release most, if not all, detained peace consultants. It has continued the malicious practice of prosecuting NDF consultants in the peace negotiations for trumped up charges, and have denied justice for the peace consultants arrested, detained, killed and disappeared during the past regime. Through Oplan Bayanihan, it has spawned killings and other human rights violations.
We appeal to our fellow human rights advocates all over the world to issue public statements and communicate with Philippine authorities to press for the immediate release of Sarmiento and all political prisoners. We enjoin you to demand that the Philippine government stop its repressive policy of filing trumped up charges against political activists and peace workers, and its counter-insurgency program Oplan Bayanihan. We call on you to appeal for the resumption of the peace negotiations between the GPH and NDFP. Attached is a template letter for Philippine authorities, which can be used for communicating your support for this appeal, and a picture of Sarmiento. You can also view his artworks through the following links:
https://www.facebook.com/GUOAmnesty
Thank you very much.
In solidarity,
(SGD) Cristina Palabay
Secretary General, Karapatan
LETTER TO SEC. DELES/OPAPP
15 January 2014
Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)
Dear Secretary Deles:
Greetings of peace!
We are concerned over the developments on the cases of political prisoners, especially that of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace consultants who have been arbitrarily arrested, are detained, and, in the case of Eduardo Sarmiento, convicted, despite the existence of agreements between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), granting them protection and immunity from arrests.
We view the recent conviction of Sarmiento, a consultant in the peace negotiations between the GPH and the NDFP as another blow impeding the peace process between the two parties and a clear indication of the Aquino government’s insincerity to resume the peace talks.
In February 2009, Sarmiento went to Metro Manila to participate in peace negotiations, when he was arrested by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP). Sarmiento was blindfolded, forced to go inside a van, and was taken to an undisclosed location for interrogation and torture for 24 hours before he was taken to the Southern Police District Jail. It was only then he knew of the charges against him. The arresting police officers claimed to have found a grenade in his bag, a claim being disputed by Sarmiento and his lawyer. The grenade, according to them, was planted evidence, as the police did not follow required chain of custody of evidence procedure and did not document the grenade in the presence of Sarmiento or his counsel. Police testimonies during the court hearings indicate several irregularities regarding documentation of the supposed evidence. Sarmiento said he was not carrying a grenade, and that the first time he saw the grenade was
during his court trial.
Lawyers of Sarmiento are set to argue for a motion for reconsideration on his conviction on the basis that the court committed serious errors in its December 2013 judgement, particularly on insufficient proof of his guilt beyond reasonable doubt; and several gross irregularities in the chain of custody of the evidence presented; and, the highly questionable performance of duties of the arresting officers.
Sarmiento’s lawyers are also asking for the judge to voluntarily withdraw from the case. In 2009, the judge was a Senior State Solicitor at the Office of the Solicitor General and she was part of “Task Force Rebellion,” a team of the GPH that reviews the cases of NDF consultants in the peace process. Given her previous involvement, there are serious questions regarding her objectivity and impartiality to the case. Sarmiento’s lawyers are asking that the judge voluntarily withdraws from the case so that another judge may review the judgement.
For Karapatan, the case of Eduardo Sarmiento illustrates the injustices being suffered by all political prisoners in the country–rights violations which are being perpetuated by the Benigno S. Aquino administration through its counter-insurgency program Oplan Bayanihan (Operational Plan Shoulder-to-Shoulder). At present, 449 political prisoners – 154 of them illegally arrested and detained under the current administration – remain imprisoned.
Aside from the injustices he suffered during his illegal arrest and detention, Sarmiento, as an NDF consultant in the peace negotiations, is covered by the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) signed on 24 February 1995 by the GPH and the NDFP. The JASIG provides that consultants and negotiators in the peace process are guaranteed free passage in the country and should have immunity from surveillance, harassment, search, arrest, detention, prosecution and interrogation. Sarmiento was listed as a peace consultant in the 2001 JASIG list and should not have been arrested or convicted under this agreement.
We lament that the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), a government body mandated by law to facilitate and undertake efforts to oversee and coordinate the promotion of the comprehensive peace process, appears to be a party that promotes discord in, and contempt of, the peace talks through continuous arrest and conviction of NDFP consultants, rather than fulfill its mandate to foster just and lasting peace in the country.
The Aquino administration through the OPAPP has expressed its commitment in “forging peace” yet, mocking the peace negotiations by not respecting and rendering inoperative the agreements such as the Hague Joint Declaration, the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) – agreements painstakingly forged throughout the years.
May we also remind the OPAPP that the government earlier committed itself in the January and February 2011 Oslo GPH-NDFP Joint Statements to release “most, if not all, political prisoners,” an obligation, not a precondition, it has to fulfil under the said agreements and commitments. Instead of honouring and complying with these agreements, the OPAPP has particularly undertaken steps to undermine them, by harping on the non-existence of the JASIG list of protected persons and by making preposterous and malicious preconditions for the release of the detained peace consultants.
By these actions, we view the GPH’s refusal to release NDFP consultants as a violation of the CARHRIHL. It was stated in the CARHRIHL that political prisoners charged, detained or convicted for common crimes in violation of the Hernandez political offense doctrine should be released while the JASIG stipulates that NDFP consultants are immune from arrest, surveillance and detention. The conviction of Eduardo Sarmiento and the continuing arrests and detention of peace consultants, political activists and ordinary Filipinos are blatant violations of this agreement.
During the talks inAmsterdam Oslo
We challenge the Aquino administration and the OPAPP be true to its words in “forging peace” and not turning the negotiating tables around. It should respect The Hague Declaration, JASIG and the CARHRIHL. We also call on the GPH and the OPAPP to stop attacking the previous bilateral agreements, resume the peace talks and release all political prisoners now.
For just and lasting peace,
Cristina Palabay
Secretary General
Karapatan
http://www.arkibongbayan.org/2014/2014-01Jan15-4EdSarmiento/ReleaseEdSarmiento.htm
KARAPATAN URGENT APPEAL:
RELEASE EDUARDO SARMIENTO NOW!
13 January 2014
Dear friends and colleagues,
Greetings of peace!
On 11 December 2013, Eduardo Sarmiento, a consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in the peace process with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH), was sentenced to 20 to 40 years imprisonment by Judge Myra Bayot Quiambao of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 203, on the basis of trumped up criminal charge of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. Lawyers of Sarmiento are challenging the conviction, through a motion for reconsideration filed before the local court, and have also sought, for the second time, for the judge to inhibit herself from the case. These pleas are expected to be heard on Friday, 17 January 2014.
His arrest and detention is based on allegations of fabricated charges of arson, multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder filed against him in the courts of
Sarmiento was serving as the NDF consultant representing the Eastern Visayas Region in the peace negotiations with the GPH since 1986. Prior to the imposition of Martial Law, he was an active member of the KM (Kabataang Makabayan or Patriotic Youth) while studying at the
In February 2009, Sarmiento went to Metro Manila to participate in peace negotiations, when he was arrested by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP). Sarmiento was blindfolded, forced to go inside a van, and was taken to an undisclosed location for interrogation and torture for 24 hours before being taken to the Southern Police District Jail. It was only then when he knew of the charges against him. The arresting police officers claimed to have found a grenade in his bag, a claim being disputed by Sarmiento and his lawyer. The grenade, they allege, was planted evidence, as the police did not follow required chain of custody of evidence procedure and did not document the grenade in the presence of Sarmiento or his counsel. Police testimonies during the court hearings indicate several irregularities regarding documentation of the supposed evidence. Sarmiento said that he was not carrying a grenade and that the first time that he saw the grenade was during his court trial.
Lawyers of Sarmiento are set to argue for the motion for reconsideration on his conviction on the basis that the court committed serious errors in its December 2013 judgement particularly on insufficient proof of his guilt beyond reasonable doubt, and several gross irregularities in the chain of custody of the evidence presented and the highly questionable performance of duties of the arresting officers.
Sarmiento’s lawyers are also asking for the judge to voluntarily withdraw from the case. In 2009, the judge was a Senior State Solicitor at the Office of the Solicitor General and she was part of “Task Force Rebellion,”a team of the GPH to review the cases of NDF consultants in the peace process. Given her previous involvement on the part of the GPH, there are serious questions regarding her objectivity and impartiality to the case. Sarmiento’s lawyers are asking that the judge voluntarily withdraw from the case so that another judge can review the judgement.
Sarmiento is on his fifth year of detention in Camp Crame, where he continues to conduct education work among fellow prisoners on their rights to fair and humane treatment inside jail as well on the various issues being confronted by the Filipino people, including the latest developments on the issue of pork barrel and corrupt practices of government officials, as well as the incompetence of the Aquino administration on the relief and rehabilitation for typhoon victims in the region where he hailed from.
Sarmiento is also a cultural worker, who uses various art forms to express the views of the people’s movement on various issues. Since his elementary days, it has been his passion to draw, but it was only in prison where he first attempted to write poems and paint. Except for his regular contribution of poems drawings to LARAB (Flame), the underground revolutionary news magazine in
Karapatan views the case of Eduardo Sarmiento as a case that illustrates the injustices being suffered by all political prisoners in the country -- rights violations which are being perpetuated by the Benigno S. Aquino administration through the counter-insurgency program Oplan Bayanihan (Operational Plan Shoulder-to-Shoulder). At present, 449 political prisoners – 154 of them illegally arrested and detained under the current administration – remain imprisoned.
Aside from the injustices he suffered during his illegal arrest and detention, Sarmiento, as an NDF consultant in the peace negotiations, is covered by the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) signed on 24 February 1995 by the GPH and the NDFP. The JASIG provides that consultants and negotiators in the peace process are guaranteed free passage in the country and should have immunity from surveillance, harassment, search, arrest, detention, prosecution and interrogation due to their involvement or participation in the peace negotiations. Sarmiento was listed as a peace consultant in the 2001 JASIG list and should not have been arrested nor convicted under this agreement.
Sarmiento’s case is another clear indication that the Aquino administration is blocking all roads towards peace and is in fact exacerbating poverty, repression, plunder of the country’s resources and violations on our sovereignty, miserably failing to fully resolve the root causes of the armed conflict. It has failed to demonstrate good faith and sincerity in respecting and implementing agreements and commitments to the NDFP-GPH peace negotiations, including its commitment to release most, if not all, detained peace consultants. It has continued the malicious practice of prosecuting NDF consultants in the peace negotiations for trumped up charges, and have denied justice for the peace consultants arrested, detained, killed and disappeared during the past regime. Through Oplan Bayanihan, it has spawned killings and other human rights violations.
We appeal to our fellow human rights advocates all over the world to issue public statements and communicate with Philippine authorities to press for the immediate release of Sarmiento and all political prisoners. We enjoin you to demand that the Philippine government stop its repressive policy of filing trumped up charges against political activists and peace workers, and its counter-insurgency program Oplan Bayanihan. We call on you to appeal for the resumption of the peace negotiations between the GPH and NDFP. Attached is a template letter for Philippine authorities, which can be used for communicating your support for this appeal, and a picture of Sarmiento. You can also view his artworks through the following links:
https://www.facebook.com/GUOAmnesty
Thank you very much.
In solidarity,
(SGD) Cristina Palabay
Secretary General, Karapatan
Press Statement
January 17, 2014
Reference: Cristina “Tinay” Palabay, Secretary General, 0917-3162831
Angge Santos, Media Liaison, 0918-9790580
Counsels to contest detained NDFP consultant's conviction
Today, recently convicted peace consultant Eduardo Sarmiento and his lawyers are set to argue on their Second Urgent Motion for Inhibition and Motion for Reconsideration at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 203.
Sarmiento is a National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant who represented the Eastern Visayas Region in the peace negotiations with the Government of Philippines (GPH). Being a Joint Agreement on Security and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) holder, he is supposedly protected from arrest and detention or persecution to be able to perform his duties in the peace process.
"Yet, the BS Aquino government violated this agreement several times when it pressed Sarmiento and other NDFP consultants with trumped up charges," Cristina Palabay, secretary general of Karapatan said.
Sarmiento was found by Judge Myra Bayot-Quiambao guilty of the charge of illegal possession of firearms and explosives despite having a planted evidence.
Sarmiento's counsels from thePublic
Interest Law
Center
The counsels raised serious questions regarding the presiding judge's objectivity and impartiality to the case. Bayot-Quiambao served as Senior State Prosecutor from 2002 to 2009, and was included in the GPH team created by then Justice secretary Agnes Devanadera to look into the cases of the consultants to the peace process and work for their release.
Thus, "having participated in some discussions on the consultants' cases in the peace process and having taken the position of the government, the presiding judge should have inhibited herself when she was asked for the first time to recuse herself in hearing the case," the counsels argued.
The motion further stated, "The manifest bias of the presiding judge in favor of the prosecution during hearing for the case left the accused in serious doubt as to her impartiality on rendering a just ruling," the motion stated.
Sarmiento's Motion for Reconsideration, on the other hand, stated that "the honorable court committed serious errors of facts and law in finding the accused (Sarmiento) guilty of violating PD 1866, as amended by RA 9516 despite the (1.) failure of the prosecution to prove the offense charged beyond reasonable doubt, (2.) failure of the prosecution to establish the chain of custody of the fragmented grenade, and (3.) blindly relying on the presumption of regularity in the performance of official duties over the constitutional right of the accused to be presumed innocent."
January 17, 2014
Reference: Cristina “Tinay” Palabay, Secretary General, 0917-3162831
Angge Santos, Media Liaison, 0918-9790580
Counsels to contest detained NDFP consultant's conviction
Today, recently convicted peace consultant Eduardo Sarmiento and his lawyers are set to argue on their Second Urgent Motion for Inhibition and Motion for Reconsideration at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 203.
Sarmiento is a National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant who represented the Eastern Visayas Region in the peace negotiations with the Government of Philippines (GPH). Being a Joint Agreement on Security and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) holder, he is supposedly protected from arrest and detention or persecution to be able to perform his duties in the peace process.
"Yet, the BS Aquino government violated this agreement several times when it pressed Sarmiento and other NDFP consultants with trumped up charges," Cristina Palabay, secretary general of Karapatan said.
Sarmiento was found by Judge Myra Bayot-Quiambao guilty of the charge of illegal possession of firearms and explosives despite having a planted evidence.
Sarmiento's counsels from the
The counsels raised serious questions regarding the presiding judge's objectivity and impartiality to the case. Bayot-Quiambao served as Senior State Prosecutor from 2002 to 2009, and was included in the GPH team created by then Justice secretary Agnes Devanadera to look into the cases of the consultants to the peace process and work for their release.
Thus, "having participated in some discussions on the consultants' cases in the peace process and having taken the position of the government, the presiding judge should have inhibited herself when she was asked for the first time to recuse herself in hearing the case," the counsels argued.
The motion further stated, "The manifest bias of the presiding judge in favor of the prosecution during hearing for the case left the accused in serious doubt as to her impartiality on rendering a just ruling," the motion stated.
Sarmiento's Motion for Reconsideration, on the other hand, stated that "the honorable court committed serious errors of facts and law in finding the accused (Sarmiento) guilty of violating PD 1866, as amended by RA 9516 despite the (1.) failure of the prosecution to prove the offense charged beyond reasonable doubt, (2.) failure of the prosecution to establish the chain of custody of the fragmented grenade, and (3.) blindly relying on the presumption of regularity in the performance of official duties over the constitutional right of the accused to be presumed innocent."
Two other criminal charges -- for the use of fictitious
name and arson -- that were filed against Sarmiento are already dismissed.
Karapatan, Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA) and other human rights and peace advocates gathered in front of the RTC during the hearing to call for the release of Sarmiento and the other 12 detained NDFP peace consultants.
Karapatan, Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA) and other human rights and peace advocates gathered in front of the RTC during the hearing to call for the release of Sarmiento and the other 12 detained NDFP peace consultants.
The human rights alliance
KARAPATAN stormed the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
(OPAPP) as Eduardo Sarmiento, National Democratic Front of the Philippines
(NDFP) peace consultant and illegally detained by the government in violation
of prior peace agreements, was convicted with life imprisonment by a municipal
court. This impedes the resumption of peace talks between the NDFP and the Manila
Click link below to play video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CspuxUIqEWE
Click link below to play video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CspuxUIqEWE
Press Statement
January 15, 2014
Reference: Cristina “Tinay” Palabay, Secretary General, 0917-3162831
Angge Santos, Media Liaison, 0918-9790580
Karapatan scores OPAPP, conviction of NDFP consultant impedes peace talks
Karapatan Alliance for the Advancement of People's Rights and other people’s organizations stormed the office of Secretary Teresita "Ging" Deles of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) in protest of the continuing detention and conviction of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace consultant Eduardo Sarmiento.
The group expressed its outrage and concern through a strongly worded letter saying, "... the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)... promotes discord and contempt with the peace talks, through the continuous arrest and conviction of NDFP consultants, rather than fulfill its mandate to foster just and lasting peace in the country."
The letter, signed by Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay stated, "We view the recent conviction of Sarmiento... as another blow impeding the peace process between the two parties and a clear indication of the Aquino government’s insincerity to resume the peace talks."
Sarmiento was arrested on February 2009 in Metro Manila by elements of the Armed Forces of thePhilippines
Nearing five years of imprisonment at theCustodial
Center of the Camp Crame PNP
Headquarters in Quezon City Eastern Visayas
were dismissed for lack of evidence.
"For Karapatan, the case of Eduardo Sarmiento illustrates the injustices being suffered by all political prisoners in the country—rights violations which are being perpetuated by the Benigno S. Aquino administration through its counter-insurgency program OplanBayanihan," the letter said. "At present, 449 political prisoners—154 of them illegally arrested and detained under the current administration—remain imprisoned," Karapatan stated.
"The Aquino administration through the OPAPP ...is mocking the peace negotiations by not respecting and rendering inoperative the agreements such as The Hague Joint Declaration, the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL)—agreements painstakingly forged throughout the years," Karapatan said. The JASIG provides protection for NDFP peace consultants and staffs from arrest and detention in order to perform their duties and push through the program for just and lasting peace.
"We challenge the Aquino administration and the OPAPP be true to its words in “forging peace” and not turning the negotiating tables around. It should respect The Hague Declaration, JASIG and the CARHRIHL. We also call on the GPH and the OPAPP to stop attacking the previous bilateral agreements, resume the peace talks and release all political prisoners now," Karapatan called on the OPAPP.
Meanwhile, Karapatan condemned the latest arrest and detention of DionisioAlmonte, 56 years old and wife Gloria PritargueAlmonte on the night of January 9, the first documented political arrest in 2014.
Dionisio is an organizer in Pagsanjan, Laguna, while Gloria is a sari-sari store owner. He is currently in Metro Manila to seek treatment for his severe diabetes, slip disc and other ailments.
"We are now on the second phase of BS Aquino's OplanBayanihan where human rights violations are disguised as legitimate police operations, such as this case yet, the motive for political repression and persecution still exist," said Palabay.
"We fear that the year 2014 will be haunted by more arrests and more numbers of political prisoners in the country," Palabay said. "The Filipino people have more reasons to fight against a corrupt, negligent and war mongering regime," she ended. ###
January 15, 2014
Reference: Cristina “Tinay” Palabay, Secretary General, 0917-3162831
Angge Santos, Media Liaison, 0918-9790580
Karapatan scores OPAPP, conviction of NDFP consultant impedes peace talks
Karapatan Alliance for the Advancement of People's Rights and other people’s organizations stormed the office of Secretary Teresita "Ging" Deles of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) in protest of the continuing detention and conviction of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace consultant Eduardo Sarmiento.
The group expressed its outrage and concern through a strongly worded letter saying, "... the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)... promotes discord and contempt with the peace talks, through the continuous arrest and conviction of NDFP consultants, rather than fulfill its mandate to foster just and lasting peace in the country."
The letter, signed by Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay stated, "We view the recent conviction of Sarmiento... as another blow impeding the peace process between the two parties and a clear indication of the Aquino government’s insincerity to resume the peace talks."
Sarmiento was arrested on February 2009 in Metro Manila by elements of the Armed Forces of the
Nearing five years of imprisonment at the
"For Karapatan, the case of Eduardo Sarmiento illustrates the injustices being suffered by all political prisoners in the country—rights violations which are being perpetuated by the Benigno S. Aquino administration through its counter-insurgency program OplanBayanihan," the letter said. "At present, 449 political prisoners—154 of them illegally arrested and detained under the current administration—remain imprisoned," Karapatan stated.
"The Aquino administration through the OPAPP ...is mocking the peace negotiations by not respecting and rendering inoperative the agreements such as The Hague Joint Declaration, the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL)—agreements painstakingly forged throughout the years," Karapatan said. The JASIG provides protection for NDFP peace consultants and staffs from arrest and detention in order to perform their duties and push through the program for just and lasting peace.
"We challenge the Aquino administration and the OPAPP be true to its words in “forging peace” and not turning the negotiating tables around. It should respect The Hague Declaration, JASIG and the CARHRIHL. We also call on the GPH and the OPAPP to stop attacking the previous bilateral agreements, resume the peace talks and release all political prisoners now," Karapatan called on the OPAPP.
Meanwhile, Karapatan condemned the latest arrest and detention of DionisioAlmonte, 56 years old and wife Gloria PritargueAlmonte on the night of January 9, the first documented political arrest in 2014.
Dionisio is an organizer in Pagsanjan, Laguna, while Gloria is a sari-sari store owner. He is currently in Metro Manila to seek treatment for his severe diabetes, slip disc and other ailments.
"We are now on the second phase of BS Aquino's OplanBayanihan where human rights violations are disguised as legitimate police operations, such as this case yet, the motive for political repression and persecution still exist," said Palabay.
"We fear that the year 2014 will be haunted by more arrests and more numbers of political prisoners in the country," Palabay said. "The Filipino people have more reasons to fight against a corrupt, negligent and war mongering regime," she ended. ###
LETTER TO SEC. DELES/OPAPP
15 January 2014
Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)
Dear Secretary Deles:
Greetings of peace!
We are concerned over the developments on the cases of political prisoners, especially that of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace consultants who have been arbitrarily arrested, are detained, and, in the case of Eduardo Sarmiento, convicted, despite the existence of agreements between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), granting them protection and immunity from arrests.
We view the recent conviction of Sarmiento, a consultant in the peace negotiations between the GPH and the NDFP as another blow impeding the peace process between the two parties and a clear indication of the Aquino government’s insincerity to resume the peace talks.
In February 2009, Sarmiento went to Metro Manila to participate in peace negotiations, when he was arrested by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP). Sarmiento was blindfolded, forced to go inside a van, and was taken to an undisclosed location for interrogation and torture for 24 hours before he was taken to the Southern Police District Jail. It was only then he knew of the charges against him. The arresting police officers claimed to have found a grenade in his bag, a claim being disputed by Sarmiento and his lawyer. The grenade, according to them, was planted evidence, as the police did not follow required chain of custody of evidence procedure and did not document the grenade in the presence of Sarmiento or his counsel. Police testimonies during the court hearings indicate several irregularities regarding documentation of the supposed evidence. Sarmiento said he was not carrying a grenade, and that the first time he saw the grenade was
during his court trial.
Lawyers of Sarmiento are set to argue for a motion for reconsideration on his conviction on the basis that the court committed serious errors in its December 2013 judgement, particularly on insufficient proof of his guilt beyond reasonable doubt; and several gross irregularities in the chain of custody of the evidence presented; and, the highly questionable performance of duties of the arresting officers.
Sarmiento’s lawyers are also asking for the judge to voluntarily withdraw from the case. In 2009, the judge was a Senior State Solicitor at the Office of the Solicitor General and she was part of “Task Force Rebellion,” a team of the GPH that reviews the cases of NDF consultants in the peace process. Given her previous involvement, there are serious questions regarding her objectivity and impartiality to the case. Sarmiento’s lawyers are asking that the judge voluntarily withdraws from the case so that another judge may review the judgement.
For Karapatan, the case of Eduardo Sarmiento illustrates the injustices being suffered by all political prisoners in the country–rights violations which are being perpetuated by the Benigno S. Aquino administration through its counter-insurgency program Oplan Bayanihan (Operational Plan Shoulder-to-Shoulder). At present, 449 political prisoners – 154 of them illegally arrested and detained under the current administration – remain imprisoned.
Aside from the injustices he suffered during his illegal arrest and detention, Sarmiento, as an NDF consultant in the peace negotiations, is covered by the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) signed on 24 February 1995 by the GPH and the NDFP. The JASIG provides that consultants and negotiators in the peace process are guaranteed free passage in the country and should have immunity from surveillance, harassment, search, arrest, detention, prosecution and interrogation. Sarmiento was listed as a peace consultant in the 2001 JASIG list and should not have been arrested or convicted under this agreement.
We lament that the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), a government body mandated by law to facilitate and undertake efforts to oversee and coordinate the promotion of the comprehensive peace process, appears to be a party that promotes discord in, and contempt of, the peace talks through continuous arrest and conviction of NDFP consultants, rather than fulfill its mandate to foster just and lasting peace in the country.
The Aquino administration through the OPAPP has expressed its commitment in “forging peace” yet, mocking the peace negotiations by not respecting and rendering inoperative the agreements such as the Hague Joint Declaration, the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) – agreements painstakingly forged throughout the years.
May we also remind the OPAPP that the government earlier committed itself in the January and February 2011 Oslo GPH-NDFP Joint Statements to release “most, if not all, political prisoners,” an obligation, not a precondition, it has to fulfil under the said agreements and commitments. Instead of honouring and complying with these agreements, the OPAPP has particularly undertaken steps to undermine them, by harping on the non-existence of the JASIG list of protected persons and by making preposterous and malicious preconditions for the release of the detained peace consultants.
By these actions, we view the GPH’s refusal to release NDFP consultants as a violation of the CARHRIHL. It was stated in the CARHRIHL that political prisoners charged, detained or convicted for common crimes in violation of the Hernandez political offense doctrine should be released while the JASIG stipulates that NDFP consultants are immune from arrest, surveillance and detention. The conviction of Eduardo Sarmiento and the continuing arrests and detention of peace consultants, political activists and ordinary Filipinos are blatant violations of this agreement.
During the talks in
We challenge the Aquino administration and the OPAPP be true to its words in “forging peace” and not turning the negotiating tables around. It should respect The Hague Declaration, JASIG and the CARHRIHL. We also call on the GPH and the OPAPP to stop attacking the previous bilateral agreements, resume the peace talks and release all political prisoners now.
For just and lasting peace,
Cristina Palabay
Secretary General
Karapatan
http://www.arkibongbayan.org/2014/2014-01Jan15-4EdSarmiento/ReleaseEdSarmiento.htm
IMT warns vs putting up of Bangsamoro office
From the Sun Star- Zamboanga (Jan 17): IMT warns vs putting up of Bangsamoro office
INTERNATIONAL Monitoring Team (IMT) head Colonel Zolkipli Hashim on Friday strongly warned that pending the comprehensive peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), any movement on the ground let alone in Zamboanga City is illegal and therefore should not be pursued.
Hashim’s stern warning was addressed to an MILF group that wanted to put up an MILF Bangsamoro Political Office in the village of Cawit, west of this city.
He ordered the group to dismantle whatever structure they had erected on a piece of land in the village of Cawit “so as not to affect, preempt or derail the ongoing GPH-MILF peace process.”
Hashim issued the warning and order during a dialogue Friday in the village of Cawit between the MILF group headed by a certain Jusali Musali, mayor of the Bangsamoro, and the official of Cawit headed by Chairman Rey Modillas.
The IMT mediated the dialogue in the presence of Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, Vice Mayor Cesar Iturralde and some city councilors together with City Legal Officer Jesus Carbon.
Musali’s group had constructed a structure on a piece of land in the village of Cawit, owned by Alex Doris, purposely for the establishment of so-called MILF Bangsamoro Political Office and a cooperative upon instruction by a certain Bob of the MILF Central Committee.
Modillas protested and brought the issue to the IMT based at the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), claiming that Musali’s group did not coordinate with his office prior to the construction of the structure, thus causing apprehension among residents in the area.
During the dialogue, it was found out that Musali’s move was not authorized by the MILF Central Committee as he admitted to the IMT that there was no written instruction from the MILF for him to put up the so-called Bangsamoro Political Office.
Musali claimed that what was constructed though was a small hut but with the same intention, citing a provision in the framework agreement that a Muslim-dominated area in Minadanao may opt to join the Bangsamoro.
Major Abdurasad Sirai, head of the Mindanao Secretariat for the GPH panel, cautioned Musali and his group that the framework agreement cannot be made as basis for any movement on the ground by the MILF since there has yet to be a final agreement.
Sirai warned that Musali’s move may even cause a problem if he pursues it.
“Just wait for the final agreement. It’s almost there. Don’t do anything that might affect the ongoing peace talks,” Sirai stressed adding, “Zamboanga City is not part of the Bangsamoro and it is non-negotiable.”
Salazar meanwhile has strongly denied having been consulted on the matter by the MILF group.
Salazar said she learned about the putting of the political it after Modeillas reported to her about it.
Salazar, during the dialogue, reiterated the residents of Zamboanga City have voted in past two plebiscites against the city’s inclusion to Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
She said the residents are also against the inclusion of Zamboanga City to any Bangsamoro homeland or any territory that will be claimed by the MILF or Moro National Liberation Front.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2014/01/17/imt-warns-vs-putting-bangsamoro-office-323788
INTERNATIONAL Monitoring Team (IMT) head Colonel Zolkipli Hashim on Friday strongly warned that pending the comprehensive peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), any movement on the ground let alone in Zamboanga City is illegal and therefore should not be pursued.
Hashim’s stern warning was addressed to an MILF group that wanted to put up an MILF Bangsamoro Political Office in the village of Cawit, west of this city.
He ordered the group to dismantle whatever structure they had erected on a piece of land in the village of Cawit “so as not to affect, preempt or derail the ongoing GPH-MILF peace process.”
Hashim issued the warning and order during a dialogue Friday in the village of Cawit between the MILF group headed by a certain Jusali Musali, mayor of the Bangsamoro, and the official of Cawit headed by Chairman Rey Modillas.
The IMT mediated the dialogue in the presence of Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, Vice Mayor Cesar Iturralde and some city councilors together with City Legal Officer Jesus Carbon.
ZAMBOANGA. International Monitoring Team head Zolkipli Hashim warns MILF group against putting up of Bangasamoro Political Office in Cawit, Zamboanga City while Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar and Vice Mayor Cesar Iturralde listen intently. (Bong Garcia)
Modillas protested and brought the issue to the IMT based at the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), claiming that Musali’s group did not coordinate with his office prior to the construction of the structure, thus causing apprehension among residents in the area.
During the dialogue, it was found out that Musali’s move was not authorized by the MILF Central Committee as he admitted to the IMT that there was no written instruction from the MILF for him to put up the so-called Bangsamoro Political Office.
Musali claimed that what was constructed though was a small hut but with the same intention, citing a provision in the framework agreement that a Muslim-dominated area in Minadanao may opt to join the Bangsamoro.
Major Abdurasad Sirai, head of the Mindanao Secretariat for the GPH panel, cautioned Musali and his group that the framework agreement cannot be made as basis for any movement on the ground by the MILF since there has yet to be a final agreement.
Sirai warned that Musali’s move may even cause a problem if he pursues it.
“Just wait for the final agreement. It’s almost there. Don’t do anything that might affect the ongoing peace talks,” Sirai stressed adding, “Zamboanga City is not part of the Bangsamoro and it is non-negotiable.”
Salazar meanwhile has strongly denied having been consulted on the matter by the MILF group.
Salazar said she learned about the putting of the political it after Modeillas reported to her about it.
Salazar, during the dialogue, reiterated the residents of Zamboanga City have voted in past two plebiscites against the city’s inclusion to Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
She said the residents are also against the inclusion of Zamboanga City to any Bangsamoro homeland or any territory that will be claimed by the MILF or Moro National Liberation Front.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2014/01/17/imt-warns-vs-putting-bangsamoro-office-323788
New cardinal urged to use clout to hasten peace in Mindanao
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jan 17): New cardinal urged to use clout to hasten peace in Mindanao
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front urged Mindanao’s first cardinal, Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, to use his clout as a highly respected religious leader and peace broker to hasten the peace process and put an end to the bloodshed in the region.
Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF vice chair for political affairs, said his organization had high hopes pinned on Quevedo because of his “tract record in fostering peace, harmony and co-existence in Mindanao.”
“We hope that his being a cardinal would help hasten our long quest for the elusive peace in Mindanao; and, God willing, we will have it,” he said.
As a young priest and even after he became archbishop of Cotabato, Quevedo has always been active in promoting inter-religious dialogues among Christians, Muslims and the Lumads, as indigenous people are referred to.
He once said that he considered peace brokering as his “primordial missionary task” and that he had always wanted “to establish just and lasting peace in Mindanao.”
The government’s panel of negotiators in talks with the MILF said the elevation of the 75-year old Quevedo was a “wonderful blessing and a portent of many positive developments to come as we push for peace in the South.”
“It reflects the recognition that the Vatican gives to the peace process in Mindanao, our very own contribution to the global call of Pope Francis to work for peace,” the government peace panel, led by Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, said in a press statement on Wednesday.
The panel described Quevedo as “a beacon of hope that will surely augur well to the Mindanao peace process.”
Quevedo, a member of religious order Oblates of Mary Immaculate, had contemplated retiring before the Vatican announced his elevation to cardinal, according to people close to him.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/565181/new-cardinal-urged-to-use-clout-to-hasten-peace-in-Mindanao
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front urged Mindanao’s first cardinal, Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, to use his clout as a highly respected religious leader and peace broker to hasten the peace process and put an end to the bloodshed in the region.
Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF vice chair for political affairs, said his organization had high hopes pinned on Quevedo because of his “tract record in fostering peace, harmony and co-existence in Mindanao.”
“We hope that his being a cardinal would help hasten our long quest for the elusive peace in Mindanao; and, God willing, we will have it,” he said.
As a young priest and even after he became archbishop of Cotabato, Quevedo has always been active in promoting inter-religious dialogues among Christians, Muslims and the Lumads, as indigenous people are referred to.
He once said that he considered peace brokering as his “primordial missionary task” and that he had always wanted “to establish just and lasting peace in Mindanao.”
The government’s panel of negotiators in talks with the MILF said the elevation of the 75-year old Quevedo was a “wonderful blessing and a portent of many positive developments to come as we push for peace in the South.”
“It reflects the recognition that the Vatican gives to the peace process in Mindanao, our very own contribution to the global call of Pope Francis to work for peace,” the government peace panel, led by Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, said in a press statement on Wednesday.
The panel described Quevedo as “a beacon of hope that will surely augur well to the Mindanao peace process.”
Quevedo, a member of religious order Oblates of Mary Immaculate, had contemplated retiring before the Vatican announced his elevation to cardinal, according to people close to him.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/565181/new-cardinal-urged-to-use-clout-to-hasten-peace-in-Mindanao
‘Cohesive’ AFP ready for new challenges
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jan 17): ‘Cohesive’ AFP ready for new challenges
The Armed Forces of the Philippines conducted a Command Conference with its senior military leaders headed by its Chief of Staff, General Emmanuel T. Bautista to assess the country’s security environment in the past year and set the AFP’s outlook for 2014, today at the GHQ Building, here in Camp Aguinaldo./ PHOTO FROM AFP PUBLIC AFFAIRS
From one tumultuous year to the next. After a problem-ridden 2013, the “cohesive” Armed Forces of the Philippines is ready to face the new challenges of 2014.
“We must consolidate our gains and sustain our momentum,” AFP Chief of Staff General Emmanuel Bautista said during the Command Conference at Camp Aguinaldo this Friday.
In its yearend report, the AFP highlighted its successful campaign against the enforcement of a five-year plan of the New Peoples’ Army to expand its power and influence.
The AFP claimed that it got rid of communist activities in 16 more provinces that increased the number of communist-free provinces to 43 of 64 in the country, the latest being Pamanga.
A total of 824 NPA rebels were neutralized while 425 firearms were confiscated in 2013.
The Armed Forces also expressed victory over the rogue members of the Moro National Liberation Front with 502 rebels neutralized, 208 killed, 24 surrenderees and 270 captured during the Zamboanga siege in September.
A total of 324 firearms were also confiscated from the rogue MNLF members.
But despite the Zamboanga victory, the AFP also suffered a sizeable loss of 20 casualties while 177 were wounded.
According to the AFP, the rogue rebels do not represent the whole MNLF and the siege would not hamper the peace talks between the government and the group.
Continuing the peace
Amid the brouhaha on the Zamboanga siege and the fight against leftist rebels, the AFP has not forgotten the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
According to the report, the AFP and the MILF are nearing a “final peace agreement.”
The two parties have signed three annex agreements, Transition Modalities, Wealth Sharing and Power Sharing, while the Annex for Normalization is still under negotiation.
“In the face of adversity, the cohesiveness of the entire AFP will always be our best assurance.”
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/565313/cohesive-afp-ready-for-new-challenges
The Armed Forces of the Philippines conducted a Command Conference with its senior military leaders headed by its Chief of Staff, General Emmanuel T. Bautista to assess the country’s security environment in the past year and set the AFP’s outlook for 2014, today at the GHQ Building, here in Camp Aguinaldo./ PHOTO FROM AFP PUBLIC AFFAIRS
From one tumultuous year to the next. After a problem-ridden 2013, the “cohesive” Armed Forces of the Philippines is ready to face the new challenges of 2014.
“We must consolidate our gains and sustain our momentum,” AFP Chief of Staff General Emmanuel Bautista said during the Command Conference at Camp Aguinaldo this Friday.
In its yearend report, the AFP highlighted its successful campaign against the enforcement of a five-year plan of the New Peoples’ Army to expand its power and influence.
The AFP claimed that it got rid of communist activities in 16 more provinces that increased the number of communist-free provinces to 43 of 64 in the country, the latest being Pamanga.
A total of 824 NPA rebels were neutralized while 425 firearms were confiscated in 2013.
The Armed Forces also expressed victory over the rogue members of the Moro National Liberation Front with 502 rebels neutralized, 208 killed, 24 surrenderees and 270 captured during the Zamboanga siege in September.
A total of 324 firearms were also confiscated from the rogue MNLF members.
But despite the Zamboanga victory, the AFP also suffered a sizeable loss of 20 casualties while 177 were wounded.
According to the AFP, the rogue rebels do not represent the whole MNLF and the siege would not hamper the peace talks between the government and the group.
Continuing the peace
Amid the brouhaha on the Zamboanga siege and the fight against leftist rebels, the AFP has not forgotten the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
According to the report, the AFP and the MILF are nearing a “final peace agreement.”
The two parties have signed three annex agreements, Transition Modalities, Wealth Sharing and Power Sharing, while the Annex for Normalization is still under negotiation.
“In the face of adversity, the cohesiveness of the entire AFP will always be our best assurance.”
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/565313/cohesive-afp-ready-for-new-challenges
NPA still the most potent threat–AFP
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jan 18): NPA still the most potent threat–AFP
The longest-running communist insurgency in Asia remains the “most potent internal security challenge” to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the military said on Friday.
“The Communist Part of the Philippines-New People’s Army is still the most potent challenge, it’s a challenge to our internal security and peace efforts,” military spokesperson Maj. Gen. Domingo Tutaan told a press conference at Camp Aguinaldo.
This was the military’s assessment of its performance last year during a command conference held on Friday presided by AFP chief of staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista.
The conference is a regular venue where senior military officers discuss the AFP’s gains in its internal peace and security operations.
“I wouldn’t say that they are the biggest strength but it is a threat that we have to contend with really, as far as internal security is concerned,” Tutaan said of the CPP-NPA.
However, Tutaan said the NPA still “miserably failed in achieving” the goals of its five-year Central Plan that ended last year.
“They were unsuccessful in expanding their mass base support as 16 more provinces were normalized last year. This makes the latest overall success to 43 provinces out of the 64 NPA-affected provinces nationwide,” a statement from the military said.
Insurgency-free
The provinces already include Pampanga, which on Wednesday was declared “insurgency-free” by the military and the local government.
The military had explained that “insurgency-free” meant that the NPA strength had been reduced to a level where it can be considered a law enforcement problem.
That Pampanga was “insurgency-free” is particularly important to the military because the province was the birthplace of the communist insurgency.
The military said that a total of 824 NPA members were either arrested, killed or have surrendered in 2013. There were also 425 firearms recovered.
The military leadership also discussed the current external security situation, particularly China’s aggression.
But AFP public affairs office chief, Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, declined to give details, citing “national security.”
Tutaan said that guarding the national territory “is not simply about action on the ground.”
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/565539/npa-still-the-most-potent-threat-afp
The longest-running communist insurgency in Asia remains the “most potent internal security challenge” to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the military said on Friday.
“The Communist Part of the Philippines-New People’s Army is still the most potent challenge, it’s a challenge to our internal security and peace efforts,” military spokesperson Maj. Gen. Domingo Tutaan told a press conference at Camp Aguinaldo.
This was the military’s assessment of its performance last year during a command conference held on Friday presided by AFP chief of staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista.
The conference is a regular venue where senior military officers discuss the AFP’s gains in its internal peace and security operations.
“I wouldn’t say that they are the biggest strength but it is a threat that we have to contend with really, as far as internal security is concerned,” Tutaan said of the CPP-NPA.
However, Tutaan said the NPA still “miserably failed in achieving” the goals of its five-year Central Plan that ended last year.
“They were unsuccessful in expanding their mass base support as 16 more provinces were normalized last year. This makes the latest overall success to 43 provinces out of the 64 NPA-affected provinces nationwide,” a statement from the military said.
Insurgency-free
The provinces already include Pampanga, which on Wednesday was declared “insurgency-free” by the military and the local government.
The military had explained that “insurgency-free” meant that the NPA strength had been reduced to a level where it can be considered a law enforcement problem.
That Pampanga was “insurgency-free” is particularly important to the military because the province was the birthplace of the communist insurgency.
The military said that a total of 824 NPA members were either arrested, killed or have surrendered in 2013. There were also 425 firearms recovered.
The military leadership also discussed the current external security situation, particularly China’s aggression.
But AFP public affairs office chief, Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, declined to give details, citing “national security.”
Tutaan said that guarding the national territory “is not simply about action on the ground.”
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/565539/npa-still-the-most-potent-threat-afp
Photo: Reef in grief
From the Manila Standard Today (Jan 17): Photo: Reef in grief
Members of the Kalikasan Protest Action at the US Embassy on Roxas Boulevard hold a rally on Januray 17, 2014 to mark the anniversary of the grounding of the US minesweeper USS Guardian in Tubbataha Reef Natural Park. LINO SANTOS
http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/01/18/reef-in-grief/
Members of the Kalikasan Protest Action at the US Embassy on Roxas Boulevard hold a rally on Januray 17, 2014 to mark the anniversary of the grounding of the US minesweeper USS Guardian in Tubbataha Reef Natural Park. LINO SANTOS
http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/01/18/reef-in-grief/
After 1 year, Tubbataha Reef not fully healed from US warship accident
From GMA News (Jan 18): After 1 year, Tubbataha Reef not fully healed from US warship accident
After one year, Tubbataha Reef has yet to fully recover from the accidental grounding of a US warship in the area, the reef's management lamented over the weekend.
The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park management said that while algae had covered the area destroyed by the USS Guardian, justice "remains unserved" as the US has yet to pay for the damage.
"The proliferation of algae may have made the scar disappear but the wounds have not fully healed. There is a long wait ahead for the once productive area to recover," it said.
It was referring to the grounding scars from the USS Guardian, which it said were "barely discernible" as of October 2013.
But it said this was not because the corals have grown back, but because algae have completely colonized the damaged area.
"A year after the tragic grounding of the USS Guardian in the Tubbataha Reef, justice remains unserved," the reef's management said.
On January 17, 2013, the USS Guardian hit reefs in South Atoll of the Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea, causing a costly two-month salvage operation.
The tragedy damaged 2,345.67 square meters of the reef area.
The Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board (TPAMB) said it informed the US Embassy, the US Navy and the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the violations committed against the Tubbataha Law and the corresponding penalties.
"For the violation of the Law (RA 10067), the TPAMB is levying a fine of $1.4 million (P58.3 million) for coral damage and other violations. These include infringement of Section 19 (Unauthorized entry), Section 20 (Damages to the reef), Section 21 (Non-payment of conservation fees), Section 26g (Destroying, disturbing resources) and Section 30 (Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers) of RA 10067," it said.
Also, it said repeated commitments on the settlement of the fine were expressed by the US government through the media and through communications with the TPAMB.
However, it added a petition filed against the US government by other concerned groups has apparently stalled the process.
The reef management said the DFA claimed it would be prudent to wait until the petition on the Writ of Kalikasan is resolved before the claim is pursued to avoid legal and diplomatic issues.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/344380/news/regions/after-1-year-tubbataha-reef-not-fully-healed-from-us-warship-accident
After one year, Tubbataha Reef has yet to fully recover from the accidental grounding of a US warship in the area, the reef's management lamented over the weekend.
The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park management said that while algae had covered the area destroyed by the USS Guardian, justice "remains unserved" as the US has yet to pay for the damage.
"The proliferation of algae may have made the scar disappear but the wounds have not fully healed. There is a long wait ahead for the once productive area to recover," it said.
It was referring to the grounding scars from the USS Guardian, which it said were "barely discernible" as of October 2013.
But it said this was not because the corals have grown back, but because algae have completely colonized the damaged area.
"A year after the tragic grounding of the USS Guardian in the Tubbataha Reef, justice remains unserved," the reef's management said.
On January 17, 2013, the USS Guardian hit reefs in South Atoll of the Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea, causing a costly two-month salvage operation.
The tragedy damaged 2,345.67 square meters of the reef area.
The Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board (TPAMB) said it informed the US Embassy, the US Navy and the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the violations committed against the Tubbataha Law and the corresponding penalties.
"For the violation of the Law (RA 10067), the TPAMB is levying a fine of $1.4 million (P58.3 million) for coral damage and other violations. These include infringement of Section 19 (Unauthorized entry), Section 20 (Damages to the reef), Section 21 (Non-payment of conservation fees), Section 26g (Destroying, disturbing resources) and Section 30 (Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers) of RA 10067," it said.
Also, it said repeated commitments on the settlement of the fine were expressed by the US government through the media and through communications with the TPAMB.
However, it added a petition filed against the US government by other concerned groups has apparently stalled the process.
The reef management said the DFA claimed it would be prudent to wait until the petition on the Writ of Kalikasan is resolved before the claim is pursued to avoid legal and diplomatic issues.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/344380/news/regions/after-1-year-tubbataha-reef-not-fully-healed-from-us-warship-accident
CPP/NDF: The Communist Party of the Philippines on Maoism, New Democratic Revolution, China & the current world
Posted to the CPP Website (Jan 17): The Communist Party of the Philippines on Maoism, New Democratic Revolution, China & the current world
Newsman’s killer nabbed in Bataan
From Tempo (Jan 17): Newsman’s killer nabbed in Bataan
MORONG, Bataan – Police arrested yesterday morning a suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA) who allegedly shot dead a radio field reporter eight years ago in this town.
Senior Supt. Audie Atienza, police director, said the suspect – Nestor Nazareno, 57, of Poblacion, Morong, Bataan – was caught off guard when collared by his men inside his house near a barangay hall in Poblacion.
The arrest of Nazareno was based on a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Manuel Tan of the Regional Trial Court Branch 2 in Balanga City, for the killing of Gary Aquino, a local newsman and reporter of dzRH.
“He did not resist arrest when we surprised him at his house at around 5:30 in the morning,” said Supt. Joshua F. Alejandro.
According to Atienza, Nazareno joined the underground movement after his father, a former chief of police in this town, was assassinated by members of the rebels several years ago.
Atienza theorized that Nazareno entered the NPA to identify the rebels who killed his father.
http://www.tempo.com.ph/2014/01/newsmans-killer-nabbed-in-bataan/#.UtmJGnIo5jo
MORONG, Bataan – Police arrested yesterday morning a suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA) who allegedly shot dead a radio field reporter eight years ago in this town.
Senior Supt. Audie Atienza, police director, said the suspect – Nestor Nazareno, 57, of Poblacion, Morong, Bataan – was caught off guard when collared by his men inside his house near a barangay hall in Poblacion.
The arrest of Nazareno was based on a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Manuel Tan of the Regional Trial Court Branch 2 in Balanga City, for the killing of Gary Aquino, a local newsman and reporter of dzRH.
“He did not resist arrest when we surprised him at his house at around 5:30 in the morning,” said Supt. Joshua F. Alejandro.
According to Atienza, Nazareno joined the underground movement after his father, a former chief of police in this town, was assassinated by members of the rebels several years ago.
Atienza theorized that Nazareno entered the NPA to identify the rebels who killed his father.
http://www.tempo.com.ph/2014/01/newsmans-killer-nabbed-in-bataan/#.UtmJGnIo5jo
PH military grappling with insurgency amid China tension
From Rappler (Jan 17): PH military grappling with insurgency amid China tension
COMMAND CONFERENCE: Armed Forces chief General Emmanuel Bautista leads a command conference with senior mlitary leaders. Photo from the Armed Forces of thePhilippines
The Philippine military has declared it will shift its focus to territorial defense as tension from maritime disputes withChina
The military continues to grapple with insurgency at home, especially with the communist Left, which recently declared it is abandoning peace talks with the government.
Armed Forces of thePhilippines
The AFP vows to "vigorously conduct internal peace and security operations" to meet the objectives of IPSP (Internal Peace and Security Plan) Bayanihan. “We must consolidate our gains and sustain our momentum. In the face of any challenge, the cohesiveness of the entire AFP will always be our best assurance,” Bautista said in a statement.
Citing national security, he refused to discuss external security issues.
China has a new law requiring foreigners to
seek its permission if they want to fish in certain areas that include the West Philippine Sea . This happened after China angered Japan
ThePhilippines
declared it is ignoring China
NPA the biggest threat
The New People's Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines CPP), remains the biggest threat. "The CPP-NPA is still the most potent challenge," Tutaan said.
Asia's longest-running insurgency inAsia celebrated its 45th anniversary in
December 2013. Unofficial estimates put the NPA's numbers to "less than
4,000" following the "neutralization" (deaths, arrests, or
surrenders) of 824 members last year.
INSURGENCY-FREE: Armed Forces chief Gen Emmanuel Bautista signs a MOA turning over security operations to Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda. Photo by Carmela Fonbuena/Rappler
The military claims it's making headway in achieving its goal to make insurgency irrelevant by 2016 even as the communist rebels have abandoned peace talks under the administration of President Benigno Aquino III and threatened to grow their numbers back to 25,000.
"It is a dream," said Tutaan. (READ: CPP gives up on peace talks, calls for Aquino ouster)
Pampanga was declared "insurgency-free" on January 15, Wednesday. It is the 43rd province and the last of the 22 provinces under the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) to be declared insurgency-free.
Security operations have become the concern of the police. A total of 75 provinces used to have insurgency problems.
It's a symbolic declaration for the military because the rebellion is rooted in Pampanga. The Hukbalahap communist rebels fought government forces after World War II.
"The insurgency was rooted here. We were able to show that we can change the situation here," Bautista told local stakeholders during the signing of the memorandum of agreement there.
Bautista also highlighted the national importance of the peace situation there. It is near business centers inSubic , near the expressways, and very near
the country capital.
The phrase "insurgency-free" tag is making others uncomfortable, however, because it might only invite "NPA remnants" to attack the province.
The NPA activities have been concentrated inEastern Mindanao , according to
Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) chief Major Ricardo Rainer Cruz III. He
estimated the NPA presence in his area at 2,000 fighters, or around half of the
current strength of the movement.
Other threats
The other threats to the country's internal security include the following:
"We can use them in several operations. We do not need a big deployment but we can have at least one anti-terrorist unit in every major area or major region. We should have units in Visayas andMindanao so we won't need
to move them when needed," Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin told
reporters during the activation program of the Light Reaction Regiment (LRR).
The LRR will deal with terrorist groups like the Abu Sayyaf, rogue MNLF, and possible foreign terrorist personalities in the country, said Gazmin.
As the name connotes, they move with speed and carry only the most essential weapons with them. They are trained to clear buildings. They are experts in counter-sniper tactics. They can fight in total darkness using modern gadgets and equipment.
The troops were originally trained by the Americans after the Sept 11, 2001 attacks and started as a Light Reaction Company of two dozen troops.
Gazmin said they are not discounting the possiblity that urban warfare like the Zamboanga siege will happen again.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/48237-philippines-insurgency-china-tension
COMMAND CONFERENCE: Armed Forces chief General Emmanuel Bautista leads a command conference with senior mlitary leaders. Photo from the Armed Forces of the
The Philippine military has declared it will shift its focus to territorial defense as tension from maritime disputes with
The military continues to grapple with insurgency at home, especially with the communist Left, which recently declared it is abandoning peace talks with the government.
Armed Forces of the
The AFP vows to "vigorously conduct internal peace and security operations" to meet the objectives of IPSP (Internal Peace and Security Plan) Bayanihan. “We must consolidate our gains and sustain our momentum. In the face of any challenge, the cohesiveness of the entire AFP will always be our best assurance,” Bautista said in a statement.
Citing national security, he refused to discuss external security issues.
The
NPA the biggest threat
The New People's Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines CPP), remains the biggest threat. "The CPP-NPA is still the most potent challenge," Tutaan said.
Asia's longest-running insurgency in
INSURGENCY-FREE: Armed Forces chief Gen Emmanuel Bautista signs a MOA turning over security operations to Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda. Photo by Carmela Fonbuena/Rappler
The military claims it's making headway in achieving its goal to make insurgency irrelevant by 2016 even as the communist rebels have abandoned peace talks under the administration of President Benigno Aquino III and threatened to grow their numbers back to 25,000.
"It is a dream," said Tutaan. (READ: CPP gives up on peace talks, calls for Aquino ouster)
Pampanga was declared "insurgency-free" on January 15, Wednesday. It is the 43rd province and the last of the 22 provinces under the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) to be declared insurgency-free.
Security operations have become the concern of the police. A total of 75 provinces used to have insurgency problems.
It's a symbolic declaration for the military because the rebellion is rooted in Pampanga. The Hukbalahap communist rebels fought government forces after World War II.
"The insurgency was rooted here. We were able to show that we can change the situation here," Bautista told local stakeholders during the signing of the memorandum of agreement there.
Bautista also highlighted the national importance of the peace situation there. It is near business centers in
The phrase "insurgency-free" tag is making others uncomfortable, however, because it might only invite "NPA remnants" to attack the province.
The NPA activities have been concentrated in
Other threats
The other threats to the country's internal security include the following:
- Rogue Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)
members, a bulk of whom the military clashed with in the September 2013
Zamboanga City Crisis. The military claims it is confident the rebels were
diminished, following the death of 200, capture of 270, and surrender of
24.
- Abu Sayyaf Group
- Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a
splinter group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that opposes
the ongoing peace negotations with the Philippine government
- Royal Security Force of the late Sulu Sultan
Jamalul Kiram III. The group figured in a standoff in
Learning from the
lessons of the Zamboanga siege, the military has increased its elite
anti-terror Light Reaction troops from a battalion of about 300 troops to a
regiment of less than 1,000 troops. (READ: PH to double size of elite anti-terror troops)
"We can use them in several operations. We do not need a big deployment but we can have at least one anti-terrorist unit in every major area or major region. We should have units in Visayas and
The LRR will deal with terrorist groups like the Abu Sayyaf, rogue MNLF, and possible foreign terrorist personalities in the country, said Gazmin.
As the name connotes, they move with speed and carry only the most essential weapons with them. They are trained to clear buildings. They are experts in counter-sniper tactics. They can fight in total darkness using modern gadgets and equipment.
The troops were originally trained by the Americans after the Sept 11, 2001 attacks and started as a Light Reaction Company of two dozen troops.
Gazmin said they are not discounting the possiblity that urban warfare like the Zamboanga siege will happen again.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/48237-philippines-insurgency-china-tension
U.S. to partner with 6 LGUs for USAID’s ENGAGE project
From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 17): U.S. to partner with 6 LGUs for USAID’s ENGAGE project
The United States government is set to partner with six local government units (LGUs) for the implementation of the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Enhancing Governance, Accountability and Engagement (ENGAGE) Project here in Western Mindanao.
The U.S. Embassy said in a statement Friday that U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg and the six LGUs will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Thursday, January 23, in this city to cement the partnership.
The six LGU signatories are the following: Zamboanga City Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar; Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan II; Jolo Municipal Mayor Hussin Amin; Isabela City Mayor Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar; Maimbung Municipal Mayor Samier Tan; and Lamitan City Mayor Rosita Furigay.
Also expected to grace the event are USAID Philippines Mission Director Gloria Steele, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chairperson Luwalhati Antonino and representatives from the academe.
ENGAGE is a five-year project that seeks, among others, to address governance challenges that permit continued social and economic instabilities and marginalization, and promote community empowerment as a foundation for inclusive local governance in targeted conflict-affected areas ofMindanao .
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=606493
The United States government is set to partner with six local government units (LGUs) for the implementation of the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Enhancing Governance, Accountability and Engagement (ENGAGE) Project here in Western Mindanao.
The U.S. Embassy said in a statement Friday that U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg and the six LGUs will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Thursday, January 23, in this city to cement the partnership.
The six LGU signatories are the following: Zamboanga City Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar; Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan II; Jolo Municipal Mayor Hussin Amin; Isabela City Mayor Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar; Maimbung Municipal Mayor Samier Tan; and Lamitan City Mayor Rosita Furigay.
Also expected to grace the event are USAID Philippines Mission Director Gloria Steele, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chairperson Luwalhati Antonino and representatives from the academe.
ENGAGE is a five-year project that seeks, among others, to address governance challenges that permit continued social and economic instabilities and marginalization, and promote community empowerment as a foundation for inclusive local governance in targeted conflict-affected areas of
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=606493
AW-109s can be utilized for resupply missions toisolated, far-flung areas
From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 17): AW-109s can be utilized for resupply missions toisolated, far-flung areas
The three AgustaWestland AW-109 "Power",delivered and commissioned last December, can also function as utility and cargo aircraft, which the military can use for resupply missions for isolated and far-flung areas.
This is aside from its capability for patrol and surveillance purposes because of its high speed at around 160 knots.
Navy spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said the AW-109s are deployed aboard the two Gregorio Del Pilar frigates currently in PN service.
He added that utility and cargo configuration can be done by simply installing packets and litters for cargo weighing up to 1,000 kilograms.
The AW-109 "Power" is a three-ton class eight seat helicopter powered by two Pratt and Whitney PW206C engines.
The spacious cabin is designed to be fitted with a number of modular equipment packages for quick and easy conversion between roles.
The aircraft’s safety features include a fully separated fuel system, dual hydraulic boost system, dual electrical systems and redundant lubrication and cooling systems for the main transmission and engines.
The AW-109 has established itself as the world’s best selling light-twin helicopter for maritime missions.
Its superior speed, capacity and productivity combined with reliability and ease of maintenance make it the most cost effective maritime helicopter in its class.
For shipboard operations, the aircraft has a reinforced-wheeled landing gear and deck mooring points as well as extensive corrosion protection measures.
The ability to operate from small ships in high seas state enables the AW-109 to perform its mission when many other helicopters would be confined to the ship’s hangar.
Over 550 AW-109 "Power" and AW-109 light utility helicopters have been ordered for commercial, parapublic and military applications by customers in almost 50 countries.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=606182
The three AgustaWestland AW-109 "Power",delivered and commissioned last December, can also function as utility and cargo aircraft, which the military can use for resupply missions for isolated and far-flung areas.
This is aside from its capability for patrol and surveillance purposes because of its high speed at around 160 knots.
Navy spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said the AW-109s are deployed aboard the two Gregorio Del Pilar frigates currently in PN service.
He added that utility and cargo configuration can be done by simply installing packets and litters for cargo weighing up to 1,000 kilograms.
The AW-109 "Power" is a three-ton class eight seat helicopter powered by two Pratt and Whitney PW206C engines.
The spacious cabin is designed to be fitted with a number of modular equipment packages for quick and easy conversion between roles.
The aircraft’s safety features include a fully separated fuel system, dual hydraulic boost system, dual electrical systems and redundant lubrication and cooling systems for the main transmission and engines.
The AW-109 has established itself as the world’s best selling light-twin helicopter for maritime missions.
Its superior speed, capacity and productivity combined with reliability and ease of maintenance make it the most cost effective maritime helicopter in its class.
For shipboard operations, the aircraft has a reinforced-wheeled landing gear and deck mooring points as well as extensive corrosion protection measures.
The ability to operate from small ships in high seas state enables the AW-109 to perform its mission when many other helicopters would be confined to the ship’s hangar.
Over 550 AW-109 "Power" and AW-109 light utility helicopters have been ordered for commercial, parapublic and military applications by customers in almost 50 countries.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=606182
PN confirms 2 more frigates to be acquired
From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 17): PN confirms 2 more frigates to be acquired
The Philippine Navy (PN) on Friday announced that it is planning to acquire two more frigates, aside from the two units which the Department of National Defense (DND) is now bidding out.
"(Other than the two frigates that are undergoing bidding, there are two more acquisitions that are being planned," Navy spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said.
No other details are available yet on this projects as it is still on the planning stage.
Fabic said that once this program comes into fruit, the PN will boost a force of seven frigates.
This includes the two Gregorio Del Pilar frigates (formerly theUS ' Hamilton
A PN study revealed that it would need around P497 billion to fully upgrade its fleet.
Once it has this money, the Navy can now acquired the abovementioned items along with four sealift vessels, 18 landing craft utility vessels, three logistics ships, 12 coastal interdiction patrol boats, 30 patrol gunboats, and 42 multi-purpose assault crafts that can be equipped with torpedoes and missiles.
Also included in the envisioned force mix are eight amphibious maritime patrol aicraft, 18 naval helicopters, and eight multi-purpose helicopters.
"Looking at the PN's inventory of mission essential equipment, it is very discernible that majority of our assets and vessels were acquired not necessarily because they fit into our strategy or operational requirement but because they are available as grant from theUS
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=606287
The Philippine Navy (PN) on Friday announced that it is planning to acquire two more frigates, aside from the two units which the Department of National Defense (DND) is now bidding out.
"(Other than the two frigates that are undergoing bidding, there are two more acquisitions that are being planned," Navy spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said.
No other details are available yet on this projects as it is still on the planning stage.
Fabic said that once this program comes into fruit, the PN will boost a force of seven frigates.
This includes the two Gregorio Del Pilar frigates (formerly the
A PN study revealed that it would need around P497 billion to fully upgrade its fleet.
Once it has this money, the Navy can now acquired the abovementioned items along with four sealift vessels, 18 landing craft utility vessels, three logistics ships, 12 coastal interdiction patrol boats, 30 patrol gunboats, and 42 multi-purpose assault crafts that can be equipped with torpedoes and missiles.
Also included in the envisioned force mix are eight amphibious maritime patrol aicraft, 18 naval helicopters, and eight multi-purpose helicopters.
"Looking at the PN's inventory of mission essential equipment, it is very discernible that majority of our assets and vessels were acquired not necessarily because they fit into our strategy or operational requirement but because they are available as grant from the
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=606287
AFP making significant headway in internal peace and security operations
From the Philippine News agency (Jan 17): AFP making significant headway in internal peace and security operations
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is making significant gains in its ongoing Internal Peace and Security Operations (IPSO) and Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) "Bayanihan."
This was disclosed during Friday's command conference conducted by AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista with senior military leaders inCamp Aguinaldo ,
Quezon City
During the meeting, the AFP disclosed that the New People's Army (NPA) miserably failed in achieving its goals bound on its "5-Year Central Plan," which was supposed to end in 2013.
The rebels' unsuccessful plan of expanding their mass base support during the five-year period was shown by the fact that the AFP was able to normalize 16 more provinces last year from the NPA influence.
This brought the latest overall success to 43 provinces, including Pampanga, out of the 64 NPA-affected provinces nationwide (56 percent of the total).
Also, a total of 824 NPA personalities were neutralized and 425 firearms were seized by the military in 2013.
Concerning the Rogue Moro National Liberation Front Elements (RMEs), the AFP was able to neutralize 502 RMEs, with 208 killed, 24 surrendered, and 270 captured/apprehended during the defense of Zamboanga last September.
A total of 324 firearms were also recovered.
On the government side, the AFP suffered 197 casualties -- 20 killed in action and 177 wounded in action, while 195 hostages were safely rescued.
The RMEs do not represent the whole MNLF, which is supportive of the peace process inMindanao , therefore the AFP is
ensuring that the peace process is not hampered or disrupted by these rogue
elements, the AFP chief said.
During the incident in Lahad Datu,Sabah
last February 2013, Bautista said the AFP deployed ground, air and naval assets
against armed followers of Sultan Jamalul Kiram to prevent spillover and assist
displaced persons.
Against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), the AFP continued the conduct of its focused military operations to contain the threat in few areas. The AFP was able to effectively limit the BIFF's capability to sabotage or derail the ongoing GPH-MILF Peace Process.
The AFP chief added that efforts against spoilers of the peace process are being done in line with the AFP’s continued commitment to support the ongoing peace process between the Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
"Currently, peace talks with the MILF are progressing well as we are in near realization of forging a final peace agreement with the group," he said.
Bautista added that the two parties have already signed three Annexes (Transition Modalities; Wealth Sharing; Power Sharing) while the last Annex on Normalization is still being negotiated.
Proving the success of supporting the peace process is the government’s gains from the Closure Agreement with the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA).
Last year, the military was able to integrate 168 CPLA members in the AFP. In the process, 403 firearms were also turned over to the armed forces while the government’s livelihood assistance project "PAMANA" was launched in theCordilleras .
One of the essential factors of the AFP’s success is the military’s continued adherence to Human Rights, the International Humanitarian Law, and the Rule of Law. Alleged human rights violations went down by 88 percent, with only 11 cases in 2013 from 96 in 2010.
Among the significant humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations conducted by the AFP in coordination with other National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) member agencies were: the active HADR response as part of the "first responders" in the Zamboanga crisis,Bohol earthquake, and typhoon
"Yolanda."
The AFP’s participation in the disaster relief operations in "Yolanda"-affected areas reached as high as 25,526 personnel who were directly involved in the HADR operations.
In addition, all available strategic lift and mobility assets from the major services were utilized. AFP units were organized under the Central Command for HADR mission in coordination with the NDRRMC and foreign military contingents.
As this developed, the Civil Society Organization-led "Bantay Bayanihan" says the AFP is gaining ground and can potentially gain more ground if the IPSP "Bayanihan" is sustained.
Further, the AFP has generally enhanced trust among peace and security stakeholders, especially in the provinces.
Perception of security in communities is notably enhanced when there is increased transparency; accountability; communication lines being opened; openness to cultural sensitivity; adherence and respect for human rights, international humanitarian law, rule of law; and multi-stakeholder engagement.
They also recognize that IPSP is planting seeds. Seeds do not grow to trees and bear fruit overnight. They have to be nurtured and sustained to flourish.
Despite the election period and the calamities and disasters that struck the country last year, the AFP was able to accomplish much.
For this year, the AFP is fully poised to vigorously conduct internal peace and security operations to meet the objectives of IPSP "Bayanihan."
“We must consolidate our gains and sustain our momentum. In the face of any challenge, the cohesiveness of the entire AFP will always be our best assurance,” Bautista said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=606420
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is making significant gains in its ongoing Internal Peace and Security Operations (IPSO) and Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) "Bayanihan."
This was disclosed during Friday's command conference conducted by AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista with senior military leaders in
During the meeting, the AFP disclosed that the New People's Army (NPA) miserably failed in achieving its goals bound on its "5-Year Central Plan," which was supposed to end in 2013.
The rebels' unsuccessful plan of expanding their mass base support during the five-year period was shown by the fact that the AFP was able to normalize 16 more provinces last year from the NPA influence.
This brought the latest overall success to 43 provinces, including Pampanga, out of the 64 NPA-affected provinces nationwide (56 percent of the total).
Also, a total of 824 NPA personalities were neutralized and 425 firearms were seized by the military in 2013.
Concerning the Rogue Moro National Liberation Front Elements (RMEs), the AFP was able to neutralize 502 RMEs, with 208 killed, 24 surrendered, and 270 captured/apprehended during the defense of Zamboanga last September.
A total of 324 firearms were also recovered.
On the government side, the AFP suffered 197 casualties -- 20 killed in action and 177 wounded in action, while 195 hostages were safely rescued.
The RMEs do not represent the whole MNLF, which is supportive of the peace process in
During the incident in Lahad Datu,
Against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), the AFP continued the conduct of its focused military operations to contain the threat in few areas. The AFP was able to effectively limit the BIFF's capability to sabotage or derail the ongoing GPH-MILF Peace Process.
The AFP chief added that efforts against spoilers of the peace process are being done in line with the AFP’s continued commitment to support the ongoing peace process between the Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
"Currently, peace talks with the MILF are progressing well as we are in near realization of forging a final peace agreement with the group," he said.
Bautista added that the two parties have already signed three Annexes (Transition Modalities; Wealth Sharing; Power Sharing) while the last Annex on Normalization is still being negotiated.
Proving the success of supporting the peace process is the government’s gains from the Closure Agreement with the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA).
Last year, the military was able to integrate 168 CPLA members in the AFP. In the process, 403 firearms were also turned over to the armed forces while the government’s livelihood assistance project "PAMANA" was launched in the
One of the essential factors of the AFP’s success is the military’s continued adherence to Human Rights, the International Humanitarian Law, and the Rule of Law. Alleged human rights violations went down by 88 percent, with only 11 cases in 2013 from 96 in 2010.
Among the significant humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations conducted by the AFP in coordination with other National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) member agencies were: the active HADR response as part of the "first responders" in the Zamboanga crisis,
The AFP’s participation in the disaster relief operations in "Yolanda"-affected areas reached as high as 25,526 personnel who were directly involved in the HADR operations.
In addition, all available strategic lift and mobility assets from the major services were utilized. AFP units were organized under the Central Command for HADR mission in coordination with the NDRRMC and foreign military contingents.
As this developed, the Civil Society Organization-led "Bantay Bayanihan" says the AFP is gaining ground and can potentially gain more ground if the IPSP "Bayanihan" is sustained.
Further, the AFP has generally enhanced trust among peace and security stakeholders, especially in the provinces.
Perception of security in communities is notably enhanced when there is increased transparency; accountability; communication lines being opened; openness to cultural sensitivity; adherence and respect for human rights, international humanitarian law, rule of law; and multi-stakeholder engagement.
They also recognize that IPSP is planting seeds. Seeds do not grow to trees and bear fruit overnight. They have to be nurtured and sustained to flourish.
Despite the election period and the calamities and disasters that struck the country last year, the AFP was able to accomplish much.
For this year, the AFP is fully poised to vigorously conduct internal peace and security operations to meet the objectives of IPSP "Bayanihan."
“We must consolidate our gains and sustain our momentum. In the face of any challenge, the cohesiveness of the entire AFP will always be our best assurance,” Bautista said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=606420
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